WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)- The Jewish Council for Public Affairs welcomed President Obama’s support for unemployment insurance as part of the robust agenda to increase opportunity that he described tonight in his State of the Union address. In addition to extending unemployment insurance to those out of work the longest, a priority of the organized American Jewish community, the JCPA pledged to continue to organize communities to work with Congress on modernizing our immigration system, improving access to education and workforce development, catalyzing economic growth, halting climate change, protecting voter rights, and ensuring the peace and security of Israel and the Middle East.
“We were encouraged to hear the President speak directly to our priorities of protecting the most vulnerable and expanding opportunity for all,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “If the polices described tonight were fully implemented, we would move toward a country with less suffering today and more hope for future generations. Our first step in confronting our challenges – both economic and moral — should be to restore unemployment insurance for the1.6 million Americans who lost this critical source of support during a time of need. Congress must restore these benefits immediately and retroactively. These insurance payments provide a bridge for millions, allowing them to put food on the table and pay rent while they look for permanent work. However, restoring unemployment insurance is not enough, we must grow the economy, promote opportunity, and create jobs. Just as the President has called for renewable energy, rebuilding in roads and transit, —our physical infrastructure– so too do we need to invest in SNAP, Head Start, and access to high quality education – our social infrastructure.
“Our moral responsibility extends to the environment as well. The threat of climate change is real and the impending changes to our Earth will be indiscriminate and costly if we fail to act. We were pleased to hear the President speak to the responsibility commanded to our care by God, and continue to support the climate action plan that will reduce emissions from power plants.”
“Tonight, the President laid out his plans for Executive action. That course may be necessary, but it is not sufficient. Our democracy works best when the Congress and the President address problems together. To truly realize the promise of our nation as the land of prosperity and opportunity for all, Congressional action is needed,” said JCPA chair Larry Gold. “We look forward to working with our member agencies, local affiliates, coalition partners, and Congressional champions as we pursue our shared vision of justice. This year, we will focus on ensuring that all full time workers have the means to support their families by advocating for raising the minimum wage and protecting human needs programs. A job should be a means out of poverty, not a tether to it.
“This week, Congress has the chance to pass an overdue Farm Bill. In 2011, SNAP lifted 47 million Americans out of poverty, including millions of low wage workers. However, the proposal being considered this week would cut billions from the SNAP and leave vulnerable families without meals.
“A strong economy is built on a strong workforce. We urge Congress to reform our nation’s immigration system this year and unleash the potential of the millions of our undocumented neighbors. The status quo keeps workers in the shadows and families apart. We are proud to be working with HIAS to organize communities in support of immigration reform that meets our moral, economic, and security needs, and we hope to include Congress as a partner as well.
“After last summer’s Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder, many Americans could be denied opportunities in the voting booth as well, a first step towards forcing inequality in society. There is before Congress a fix to the historic Voting Rights Act that offers a real chance to maintain the rights of all Americans to a fair and meaningful ballot. We are pleased President Obama highlighted this bill and hope to see Congressional action soon.”
In addition to the State of the Union’s message of economic opportunity, President Obama spoke to the challenges in foreign policy, including ongoing negotiations to end Iran’s nuclear program.
“A nuclear Iran is a threat to the U.S., Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world. That we are currently engaged in negotiations to end that threat is thanks in large part to the success of our sanctions regime. These talks must succeed and Iran cannot have the capacity to build nuclear weapons. Strong American and international sanctions have been and continue to be a necessary component to finding a peaceful solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” said Gutow.
JCPA, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 14 national and 125 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.
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Preceding provided by JCPA